Reds claim derby bragging rights

TRILLICK head into the July holiday period with a spring in their step after recording a morale-boosting derby victory over neighbours Dromore at Donnelly Park yesterday afternoon.

Goals in either half from Niall Gormley and Daragh McQuade proved the decisive scores for the Reds who have endured a lean time of late, with their healthy county contingent forced to sit out proceedings.

Dromore were also missing their Tyrone men for this Starred clash but while the cast list may have lacked the star names, there was still no lack of quality and intensity on show.

Gormley top scored for the hosts and was a source of menace for the Dromore back unit throughout, while Stephen O’Donnell, Daniel McDonnell and Ryan Gray also put in solid shifts for Trillick.

Oran Sludden looked sharp for Dromore, especially in the second half, while Sean McNabb and Ryan McCusker also drove forward with intent, but the Blues struggled at times for cohesion and fluency in their play.

The St Dympna’s were held to just two scores in the first half, courtesy of a couple of Emmet McNabb frees, which was testimony to the resilience and organisation of the Reds backline.

Trillick struggled to make inroads themselves at times as an attacking force despite the boost of an excellent early Daire Gallagher point.

Gallagher also tagged on a pointed free while the lively Gormley struck a tidy point on the turn.

Gormley then pounced for a 17th minute goal, reacting sharply to swivel and find the net after Gallagher’s initial effort bounced down off the upright into his path.

There was almost a carbon copy moments later, after McDonnell struck the post with an attempted point from distance. Again the rebound fell invitingly for Gormley but this time his potshot at goal crashed off the woodwork and Dromore averted the danger.

A similar incident almost opened the door for a Dromore goal coming up to the break, only for Ciaran McCoy to fire off target after a rebound off the post presented him with the opportunity.

There was no lack of competitiveness in the match but a lack of real end product meant Trillick held the edge at the interval leading 1-3 to 0-2.

Conor O’Hara and Oran Sludden registered for St Dympna’s soon after the restart, hinting at a marked improvement in their attacking output, and while the alert Gormley responded with a super score from an acute angle, the Reds were now being pegged back.

However while they bossed possession, Dromore were still struggling for scores and with Gormley and Stephen O’Donnell on target at the other end, Trillick had stretched five in front, 1-6 to 0-4.

Two terrific strikes from Sludden and a point by sub Colm McCrory brought Dromore right back into contention, and even after they lost Cahir Goodwin to a second yellow card they continued to push forward.

Sub Eoin McCusker split the posts to leave one in it but any frayed Trillick nerves were eased when Darragh McQuade found the net at the back post in the 55th minute, after being teed up for the finish by Stephen O’Donnell.